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Brown Joins the Charge for the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act
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| Legislation Aims to Stop World’s Most Dangerous Terrorists Held at Guantanamo Bay Prison from Being Imported into the United States |
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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Henry E Brown, Jr. (R-SC) joined his fellow House Republicans in cosponsoring the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act, legislation aimed at stopping the transfer or release of terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States.
The legislation clearly opposes releasing terrorists from the Guantanamo Bay facility and transferring them to the United States requires that governors and state legislatures pre-approve the transfer or release of any terrorist detainee into their respective states and holds the Administration to strict criteria and certification standards before terrorists housed at the Guantanamo prison could be brought to the United States.
Following the introduction of the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act, Congressman Brown made the following statement:
“The hasty decision made by the Obama Administration to close Guantanamo lacks the proper review of potential impacts the relocation of these terrorists may have on the citizens of the United States. In fact, this decision was made without having any clear plan for what will be done with the detainees after Guantanamo closes. This legislation would serve to block these actions and ensure that these dangerous individuals will not be moved to U.S. facilities.
Coming from South Carolina, where the Naval Consolidated Brig in Charleston is on the list of potential sites for relocating these terrorists, I am particularly passionate about making sure that the President’s desire, and some in this Congress, to bring these enemy combatants to the soil of the United States does not happen. In considering the best interest of the communities surrounding the Naval Brig, this must not happen. We must protect our constituents from these terrorists and that is the bottom line.”
NOTE: Following is a summary of the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act:
Affirming Congress’ Opposition to the Release and Transfer of Terrorists
The bill affirms Congress’ opposition to transferring or releasing terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States. Most Americans do not support releasing these terrorists from Guantanamo Bay prison and transferring them into the United States. The bill gives Congress an opportunity to show that it stands with the American people on this critical matter, and opposes the release and transfer of these terrorists.
Governor & State Legislature Pre-Approval
The measure prohibits the Administration from transferring or releasing any terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay to any state without express approval from the state’s governor and legislature, and certifies to Congress that strict requirements have been met. For example, the Administration must certify to the respective governor and state legislature that the detainee does not pose a security risk to the United States. The certifications must be made 60 days before any transfer or release.
Presidential Certification Requirements
The measure prohibits the President from transferring or releasing a terrorist detainee into the United States unless he provides the following notification and certification to Congress regarding:
• The name of the detainee and transfer/release location in the United States.
• The release/transfer would not negatively impact continued prosecution of the detainee.
• The release/transfer would not negatively impact continued detention of the detainee.
• The ability of federal judges to release detainees into the United States.
Congressman Brown also sponsored H.R.565, legislation prohibiting the use of funds available to the Department of Defense to transfer individuals detained by the United States at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Naval Consolidated Brig, Charleston, South Carolina and is a cosponsor of H.R.1012, Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility Safe Closure Act of 2009, prohibiting the use of funds to transfer enemy combatants detained by the United States at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to anywhere in the United States, or to construct facilities for such enemy combatants at such locations. |
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